Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-04-01
BISMARCK WEEKLY TRIBUNE: FRIDAY, April. /. 1857
MlLLARD FlLLMoRE,s LAST YEARS

MlSIfAhD #fllIMOHG,S &IASI YEARSs
Buffalo as tho Home Of Two Presidents.
AIillard Fillmore,s Son.
5a Especial conespondence.l
BUFFALO, Jan. M-Since the elevation OF
Grover Cleveland to the presidency Buffalo
pr1des herself upon being political center Of
Importance. Why nota It is no small thing
IN political way to have a personal acquaint-
ance with the president OF the United States,
and nearly everybody who amounts to any
thing in Buffalo knew Grover Cleveland.
Yet it is not a new experience for Buffalo to
have one Of her citizens president Ridpath
tells you that Millard Fillmore was of New
York, but history is too general; Fillmore
was of Buffalo
Mlilard Fillmore was originally an obscure
lawyer of the village Of Aurora, Erie county,
but subsequently came to Buffalo He grad
ually became prominent in his profession, and
from the first acted with the Whig party. He
was sent to congress, and when the office Of
state comptroller was made elective he was
nominated for it, and was the first comptroller
chosen by the people. While holding that
Office he was nominated for vice-president on
the ticket headed by Gen. Zachary Taylor.
Both were elected in 1S4S, owing to the split
movement. Mr.. Fillmore entered upon the
duties of bis new Office on the 4th of March,
1849, and by the death of President Taylor in
July, 1850, became president of the United
States. Here may mention curious COIN
cldence. When Taylor succeeded Harrison in
ls41 Mr.. Fillmore was in congress. debate
arose over Tyler's title; whether he should be
called acting president upon the death of a
,hotr
argued that he could not constitutionally
become president; that there must be dis
tlnction. Finally the opinion prevailed that
he should hold the same title as if elected to
the Office Mr. Fillmore took strong ground in
support of this view, little dreaming that he
would be the second to be promoted to the
presidency in this way.
The events of his administration are parts
of the history Of the country. After his re-
tirement from office in March. 1858, Mr.. Fill
more made an extended European trip, and
had not returned in 1S56-the year of the Bu-
chanan-Fremont canpaign-when he was
notified that he had been nominated for
president by the American Know Nothing
party. Maryland was the only state of the
Union to give him her electoral votes
It is not polite in these days to talk Of
Know Nothingisn. Millard Fillmore was
Wing, and had little confidence in his election
by the American party When his Buffalo
friends gave MIN serenade upon his return
from Europe, he made brief speech, accept.
ing the nomination. "These words" shouted
friend from below, twill make you presi-
dent of the United States" The answer-"I
hope so, sir, most sincere]y"-was made the
campaign cry of the Democrats and Free
Soilers of Buffalo.
As ex-presdent, Mr.. Fillmore contracted
sec ond marriage, his choice being the
wealthy widow Of one of the opposition candi-
dates purse holders. The contract Of the
marriage was drawn up by Nathan Z. Hall,
who was the ex-president's personal friend
1t related, of course, simply to the second
Mrs. Filinore's personal estate.
After the termination of tho presidential
contest Mr.. Fillmore lived hero in retirement,
and was throughly esteemed by citizens re-
gardlcss of party. He died in 1874, and was
buried at Fort Lawn cemetery. lie was of
commanding presence, and, as one of his
friends described him to me recently. n man
few persons could pass on the street without
turning to look back at. There was that
about his gentle dignity that secured respect
from unexpected sources, and few citizens
| met him out for morning walk who did not
lift their hats as a natural token of Difference
He was, Notwithstanding his reserve. always
ready to take part in any public event.
The Fillmore mansion was one Of the hand
| soonest of palatial residences of Niagara
square It is now known as the Fillmore,
but has degenerated to a fashionable board
+ ing house. The landlades are sisters of q
celebrated turtle of Coney island. Mrs.
Fillmore died few years ago, making liberal
bequests to the Buffalo Fine Arts academy,
the Buffalo Historical society, and local
charities. Her private library was given in
tact to the Historical society. Every volume
contains her autograph. One of tue park ap-
proacbes, Fillmore avenue, was named in
honor of the departed ex xprcs.icnt, and the
| city is taking good care of 1T, having during
the last season paved it with asphalt at a cost
of $S5, 900.
Mr.. Fillmore was not considered q brilliant
man; but be was considered deep, sound and
logical. One of his chief local political OPP
ponents was well known local character Of
that day, whom l will call Jones. It is re-
lated that their greatest word duel took place
in church at Abbotts Corners, being hotIy
contested for six hours. DR.. l.. r. Dayton,
who is a personal friend of the present occu-
pant OF the White House, heard it, and his
Iued was Li'dG JoIieS, Ol dIIouht VI LID 10
markable briliancy, got the better of the
argument. Dr. Dayton told me- story about
Jones which should be preserved. In the
early days Bufalo's largest ball was the old
court house on Lafayette square. A noted
temperance orator from Albany was adver-
tised to address mass meeting in the after
noon, but failed to arrive. The only
man the committee couk! think Of
who was equal to the emergency
was this same Jones. They found him in his
office lying on a couch, engaged in rubbing
out of bis head the effects Of the previous
nights hilarity. When the case was explained
he poured out and swallowed glass Of
brandy, and. leaning on the arms Of bis
friends made his way to the hall. For tile
first hour he dared not trust bimself to loose
his grasp on tho speakers table. But such
was the power of his eloquence that after he
had done speaking ] 500 persons signed the
pledge. 1t is not related whether the speaker
signed or not
The late ex-presidents son, Millard P. Fill
more resides in Buffalo, and belongs to the
Tiff House Bachelors club. President Cleve-
land and Cousin Ben Folsom were both men,